USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 14
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Mr. and Mrs. Pickit reared a family of splendid children, who in the various communities where they live are leading honorable and useful lives and who are a credit not only to their parents, but to the community where they spent the earliest years of their lives.
A. M. ANDERSON.
It is a difficult task to do justice to any individual within the limited space accorded in a volume of this character, where so many must be given the credit which they have honestly and deservedly earned. To Mr. Anderson, however, especial honor is due because of the struggle through many hardships through which he has passed, and the eminent financial success which he has achieved, thus enabling him to pass the remaining years of his life in comfort.
A. M. Anderson, farmer, Fergus Falls, Carlisle township, Otter Tail county, was born on January 8, 1856, in Norway, and is a son of Michael and Julia (Olson). Anderson. He came with his parents to America in 1861, locating in Allamakee county, Iowa. His opportunities for receiving an education were limited, attending for a short period at the public schools in Iowa, and about the same length of time in Minnesota. As a young man it was always necessary for him to work very hard, and in 1885 he began farming for himself on his father's farm in Martin county, Minnesota, which he afterward bought, and which he sold in 1902, coming to Carlisle township. Otter Tail county, where he bought a tract of two hundred and eighty acres, eighty of which he sold in 1913, and now owns two hundred acres, on which he has put all the buildings and other improvements. In addition to following general farming, Mr. Anderson conducts a dairy, and is a stockholder in the Fergus Falls Creamery. Politically, he is a strong Democrat, while his religious views are in accordance with those of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in which he takes a deep interest. He has put out a new orchard, and is considered a progressive farmer.
Michael and Julia (Olson) Anderson, parents of the subject of this sketch, were both born in Norway, the former coming to America as a day laborer, arriving at New York City in 1861, and going from there to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he bought a farm of eighty acres and lived until 1882, when he moved to Martin county. Minnesota, taking a home- stead of eighty acres, where his wife died. Mr. Anderson then moved to Pine county, where he lived for a few years and then sold out, moving to
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Wheeler, Wisconsin, where he died. This union was blest with but one son, A. M. Anderson. Politically, Mr. Anderson was a Republican, and in religion he belonged to the Norwegian Lutheran church.
A. M. Anderson was united in marriage, in 1880, with Elizabeth Knoff, daughter of Peter and Melena (Berg) Knoff. She was born on May 23, 1861, in Norway. Eleven children have been born to this union: Julia M., who became the wife of Edward Thompson, and is the mother of six children, Janice E., Marion E., Ruby E., Lila I., Palma V. and George Edwin; Christian, the second child of A. M. and Elizabeth Anderson, was united in marriage with Emma Paulson, which marriage has been blest with two children, Carlyle F. and Marlo: Albert T .: Emma P., who became the wife of Augustus Siems, and is the mother of two children, Delna L. and Arvid H .; Melvin O .. Helmar, Carl L., Hazel M., Alma E., Howard E. and George D.
Mr. Anderson enjoys the reputation of being one of the industrious and thrifty agriculturists in his community, where he holds the high regard of all who know him.
NELS J. MORTENSEN.
One of the best-known retired citizens of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is Nels J. Mortensen, who for many years was engaged in the retail drug business at Fergus Falls, but who has been living retired since 1912. Among his other interests Mr. Mortensen is identified with the manufacture of sash, doors and frames, in Fergus Falls, through the Fergus Falls Manu- facturing Company.
Nels J. Mortensen was born on November 6, 1847, in Schleswig, Den- mark, now a part of Germany. He is the son of Jens and Catherine Mor- tensen, the former of whom was a farmer.
Nels J. Mortensen served two years, from 1863 until the close of 1864, in the Danish-German War, after growing to manhood, and then learned the trade of a pharmacist. In the spring of 1872 he emigrated to America, coming to the United States by the way of Quebec, Canada. Sub- sequently, he settled in Steele county, Minnesota, where he remained for a few months and then came to Alexandria, Douglas county, Minnesota, where he found employment in the drug business. Mr. Mortensen remained in Alexandria for eighteen months and then moved to Fergus Falls in 1876.
He opened a drug store on his own account in 1876 and continued in business continuously until 1912, since which time he has been living prac- tically retired.
Mr. Mortensen's wife, before her marriage, was Lottie C. Nelson, the daughter of Nels Nelson. She is a native of Alexandria, Minnesota, and
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has borne her husband one daughter, who is now the wife of Dr. E. G. Bell, a well-known dentist of Fergus Falls. Doctor and Mrs. Bell have one daughter, Catherine.
Mr. Mortensen is a member of Corner Stone Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Foresters.
HENRY TOMHAVE.
In a visit to the home of those of our pioneer settlers, who still make their homes in Minnesota, one would find many interesting facts concerning the experiences of ox team and other primitive modes of travel in the days when railroads were only anticipated luxury. It was during these trips from the East that some of the greatest hardships of pioneer life were experienced, and it is to those who were brave enough to face the many dangers of the wilderness period that much credit is due.
Henry Tomhave, farmer, Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, was born on September 11. 1845, in the province of Hanover, Germany, and is a son of John and Katherine (Bungar) Tomhave. He was edu- cated at the public schools of Germany, and as a young man, came to America in 1866, landing at New York City, where he was obliged to work for six months in order to secure money with which to reach Minnesota. On reaching La Crosse, Wisconsin, the river was full of ice, and he did not possess enough money to pay stage fare, thus necessitating his remaining at that place and working on the railroad, finally reaching Red Wing, where he remained two years. In 1869, he came to Otter Tail county and estab- lishing his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the wilderness. He traveled from St. Paul to St. Cloud, walking all the way. There was not a building at Fergus Falls when he and his one companion arrived. They crossed the river at Fergus in a boat made of fence bark. This was in the spring, and they returned to Red Wing, coming back in the fall with an ox team, experiencing many struggles because of the lack of railroad facilities. They had no opportunity to market their grain without making long hauls. and all the buildings and improvements had to be put on the place.
Mr. Tomhave has become eminently prosperous, dividing his attention between general farming and stock raising. Politically, he gives his sup- port to the Republican party, in the politics of which he has for a long time been actively interested, and is the present town treasurer, and has been district supervisor. Religiously, he is an earnest member of the German Lutheran church, to which he contributes liberally.
John and Katherine (Bungar) Tomhave, parents of the subject of this sketch, were both natives of Germany, from which country the father never
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departed. The mother came to America and homesteaded one hundred and twenty acres in Otter Tail county near her son, Henry. She died in this county.
Henry Tomhave was united in marriage on December 26, 1872, with Anna Bradahoeft, daughter of Jacob Bradahoeft, by whom he has had five children, John H., Anna, Carl, Claus and Henry.
Mr. Tomhave bears the distinction of being a real pioneer, and has gained many warm and admiring friends throughout Otter Tail county, where he is well and prominently known.
KNUD H. BRANDVOLD.
Knud H. Brandvold, a retired citizen of Dalton, Minnesota, is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Dalton and the man to whom all of the people of this thriving town refer as the real pioneer of the community.
Knud H. Brandvold, a native of Norway, was born on May 11, 1845, and is the son of Halvor Simonson and Kari Avleson. Mr. Brandvold's father died in Norway in 1848. He was a farmer by occupation and spent all of his life in his native country. Both he and his wife were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. They were the parents of only two chil- dren, Knud H., the subject of this sketch, and Hannah M., who was born on July 5, 1848, and who married E. J. Berdall, of near Garretson, Minne- haha county, South Dakota. They have three children, John E., Carrie and Henry.
Knud H. Brandvold received a common-school education in Norway and, when a lad of fourteen years, began learning the shoemaker's trade. He worked at this trade until he was twenty-two years old and, in 1867, came to America, living for two years thereafter in Filmore county, Minne- sota. After two years, he moved to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and in 1871 came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has lived practically all of the time since.
Upon coming to Otter Tail county, Mr. Brandvold purchased the northwest quarter of section 12, in Tumuli township. a tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres, which, at the time, was little more than wild land. During the winter of 1883-1884, Mr. Brandvold went to Polk county, Minne- sota, where he took a homestead and where he assisted in the organization of a township, which was given his name. A congregation of the Norwe- gian Lutheran church was also given his name. In the following spring. Mr. Brandvold came back to his home in Tumuli township. During his early days in this county, he was situated about thirty miles from a rail- road.
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In 1879, in partnership with Taral Olson, Mr. Brandvold established a store at Dalton. This partnership continued for six months, after which Mr. Brandvold continued for a time as the sole proprietor of the business. Later he took Ole Nelson into the business as a partner and this arrange- ment continued for four years. After Mr. Nelson retired. Mr. Brandvold conducted the store alone. He retired from business in 1903.
Mr. Brandvold was one of the organizers of the Farmers Grain & Lumber Company, of Dalton. In 1908 he sold his farm to his son-in-law, Senator Ole O. Sageng, who is one of the best-known citizens of Otter Tail county. Since 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Brandvold have lived in Dalton.
Knud H. Brandvold was married to Bertha K. Steien, who died in April, 1890. To this union were born three children, Halvor, Oliver and Kari. In July, 1892, Mr. Brandvold was married, secondly, to Maria L. Bakken.
Mr. and Mrs. Brandvold and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Brandvold has served as secretary of the congre- gation for a short time. For twelve years he was supervisor of his town- ship, and for twenty-eight years was treasurer of the local school board. Knud H. Brandvold occupies a place in the hearts of his neighbors and fellow-citizens second to no other citizen in this part of Otter Tail county. He has well performed his duties as a public-spirited and useful citizen and today is accorded the distinction which belongs to such a man and such a citizen.
ESTEN THOMPSON.
Unconscious recognition of the true worth of a man who has made his opportunities and opened his own way through hardships and financial struggle is found in the ultimate conclusion of a well-rounded career. Mr. Thompson, whose name is mentioned above, has demonstrated a firmness of purpose in his chosen vocation that cannot but win the admiration of those familiar with his steadfast and thrifty methods.
Esten Thompson, farmer. Fergus Falls township. Otter Tail county, was born on September 29, 1856. at Trondkjem, Norway, and is a son of Bernt Thompson. His rudimentary education was obtained in Norway. and at the age of ten years he came to America with his parents, where he attended the public schools for a short time. When quite a young man. Mr. Thompson began farming for himself in Wilkin county, Minnesota, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which he sold in 1903, and bought his present farm consisting of one hundred and ten acres, his time and attention being devoted to general farming. Mr. Thompson has put valuable improvements on his place, which, although not
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one of the largest, is one of the best places in the township. He is a brother of Anton Thompson, whose name is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Politically, he is a Republican, and in religion, a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Esten Thompson was united in marriage with Christina Vold, by whom he has had eight children : Bernard. Rosa, Edwin, Inga, Albert, Ethel, Mary and Minnie.
Mr. Thompson is a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence, and keeps well up with the times, and can honestly claim all the honor accorded him as a substantial and prosperous citizen.
LEWIS LOHMEIER.
Following down a long line of German ancestry, one finds the name of Lewis Lohmeier, a representative and influential agriculturist of Fergus Falls township. Mr. Lohmeier has followed the most approved methods in his rural vocation, and today owns a splendid tract of land in the above township, where he makes the breeding of fine stock one of his specialties.
Lewis Lohmeier, general farmer and stock breeder. Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, was born on March 22, 1864, at Evansville, Indiana, and is a son of Henry and Charlotte ( Held) Lohmeier. He was educated at the district schools of Fergus Falls township, and as a young man, began farm- ing for himself on his mother's farm. In 1884 he bought his present home- stead, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, located in section 33. Fergus Falls township, which place he has owned ever since. In 1898 Mr. Lohmeier moved to where he now resides, and has since put many valuable improvements on the place, consisting of all new buildings, etc. In addition to general farming, he has made the breeding of fine stock one of his lead- ing interests. Politically, he has always been a stanch Republican, while in religion, he belongs to the Lutheran church. Fraternally, his alliance is with the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Elks.
Henry and Charlotte ( Held) Lohmeier, parents of the subject of this sketch, were both born in Germany, and came to America about 1850, locat- ing first at Evansville, Indiana, and in 1856 Mr. Lohmeier moved with his family to Red Wing, Minnesota. In 1869 he came to Otter Tail county, where he bought a tract of six hundred and forty acres in Fergus Falls township, returning later to Red Wing, and finally, on June 15. 1872. he arrived at Fergus Falls with his family, where he spent the remainder of his life, and where he conducted a brewery during the first three years of his residence. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lohmeier were as fol- low : Henry, Charles, Lewis, August, Rosetta, Mary, Maggie and Matilda.
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Politically, Mr. Lohmeier was a Republican, and in religion his sympathies were with the German Lutheran church.
Lewis Lohmeier was united in marriage, in 1898, with Louise Zahn, daughter of Angust Zahn. She was born in Wisconsin. Two children have been born to this union, May and Eleanora.
Mr. Lohmeier is appreciated in his community for his genuine worth and high personal character. He is genial and unassuming in manner, and his friendship is held in high esteem throughout his township.
ALBERT DALLUGE.
The subject of this sketch is one of the versatile and broad-minded citizens of Otter Tail county, where he has established his family in a com- fortable home, the foundation of American happiness, the country which he, like many others of his native land, has adopted as his permanent home. Unlike many of our rural citizens, Mr. Dalluge has never allowed his methods and habits to become fixed, or his ideas to follow a rut. He keeps himself informed as to what is going on in the outside world.
Albert Dalluge, farmer, Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, was born on August 3, 1869, in Germany, and is a son of Julius and Caro- line (Oehlke) Dalluge. His education was received in Germany, coming alone to America in 1882. His first employment in this country was in a harvest field, after which he worked in the timber, and was later associated with his father on a farm. On March 18, 1914, Mr. Dalluge bought his present splendid farm, consisting of two hundred and forty-four acres, his special attention being directed to general farming and stock-raising. Prior to the purchase of his present homestead, he farmed with his father for nine years, and in 1903 he went to Brown county, Minnesota, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres, which he sold in 1913. Politically, Mr. Dalluge is a stanch Republican, while his religious sympathies are with the German Lutheran church.
Julius Dalluge, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on Sep- tember 21, 1838, in Germany, and was united in marriage with Caroline Oehlke, who was also born in Germany. They came to America about 1883, locating in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where they have since resided.
Albert Dalluge was united in marriage with Minnie Lehman, by whom he has had the following children: Walter, Eleanor (who became the wife of John Sorensen), Mahala, Paul and Clarence.
By his upright principles and his interest in the welfare of his fellow man, Mr. Dalluge is regarded as one of the worthy and honorable citizens, whose character is beyond question.
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PETER AND MINNA GAST.
The worthy couple to a short sketch of whose joint career the atten- tion of the reader is now directed, have for many years been counted among the representative citizens of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and each of them are well known and highly esteemed. Mr. Gast has been one of the progressive farmers of his community and Mrs. Gast has made a reputation for herself as a most capable and painstaking nurse. She has in the course of many years, served in more than half of the best homes of the county and Fergus Falls and has in this way won many warm friends through her ready sympathy and helpfulness in their time of need.
Peter J. A. Gast was born in Schnierin, Germany, on April 28, 1847, son of Fritz and Maria ( Willert ) Gast, both natives of the same place. The death of the mother occurred in her native land, while the father after that emigrated to this country, joined his children and closed his life at Great Bend, North Dakota. Mr. Gast is the youngest of a family of three chil- dren, all boys, the other two both being engaged in farming near Great Bend, North Dakota. Mr. Gast when a boy in his native land was educated in a soldiers' school and in 1868 was entered as a full-fledged soldier in the Franco-Prussian war, serving throughout that campaign. He was a mem- ber of the Fifth Prussian Dragoons and saw active service at the battles of Metz. Toulon, Orleans, Bruges, Sedan, Cikano and many other minor engagements.
After the close of the war, in 1873, Peter Gast emigrated to the United States, leaving his parents behind him, but bringing with him his wife. They resided in Wisconsin for a year and in 1874 came to Otter Tail county, this state, which has since been their home. The first tract of land they purchased contained forty aeres and they now own one hundred and twenty. This land is well improved, has fine orchards, good buildings and in addi- tion to general farming, they raise a goodly number of cattle for the market each year. In every respect, Mr. Gast merits the name of a progressive and up-to-date farmer. Mrs. Gast has been of wonderful assistance to him, both in capably managing her part of the farm work and also by the income she has received as nurse, as before mentioned. They came to this country poor, but with a wonderful supply of industry and ambition, and have not only succeeded well along material lines, but they are held in the highest esteem by their wide circle of friends. They have reared and educated a a large family and have filled most useful places in life. About a year ago Mr. Gast suffered a sunstroke, from which he has never wholly recovered and has since been bedfast, but so strong is his spirit that even with his affliction, he maintains a cheerfulness quite surprising. This pleasing state is due not only to his own indomitable will but also in a large measure to the
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companionship existing between himself and his good wife who does all within her power to lighten his burden.
Mrs. Gast before her marriage was Minna Sandhoff, also a native of Germany and a daughter of William and Maria (Verner) Sandhoff, neither of whom ever came to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Gast are the parents of nine children, two of whom died in early infancy. Those remaining are : Frederick, who resides at Fergus Falls, where he is superintendent of the Manhattan building; Delinda, wife of August Weinrich, a farmer of Otter Tail county; Alfreda, wife of Joseph Doll, of Colton, Washington; Mar- guerite, who married Frank Kalsow and lives in Moorhead, Minnesota; Richard, who remains at home, unmarried, and does the active work about the homestead; Albert, a printer, of Winona, this state, and Gertrude, wife of Fritz Kalsow, of Otter Tail county.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gast are devout members of the Lutheran church, and in that faith they carefully reared their family. In politics, Mr. Gast is a Republican and was for many years known as one of the active workers in his section. For twenty-seven years he served his party as road overseer and township assessor, at different times, and under his supervision great strides were made in the improvement of the public highways. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gast deserve the flattering degree of respect in which they are held, for each in their own way have lived active, useful lives, and in their home their joint endeavor has brought them a degree of material success commensurate with their effort and the love and respect of an interesting family.
JESSE P. BILLINGS.
To gain a broad experience in a general way, it is necessary for one to get out into the world and find out what is being accomplished in different parts of the country, and in this respect Mr. Billings has had ample oppor- tunity to store his mind with valuable ideas in many directions, having been a traveling man for fifteen years, all of which has been of untold value in his vocation as an agriculturist, since he has been able to put into actual practice the information gleaned in passing through various agricultural districts.
Jesse P. Billings, farmer, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, was born on April 20, 1880, and is a son of J. S. Billings. He was educated in the public schools at Fergus Falls, and after completing his education he became a traveling salesman for the firm of N. K. Fairbanks & Company, soap manufacturers, during which time he resided at Minneapolis. In 1913 he moved to his father's farm, where he became a breeder of Shorthorn cattle. Duroc hogs and Shropshire sheep, the cattle all being shipped to the
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Northwest. He is considered one of the hustling young farmers of the county. Fraternally, he is a members of the Elks lodge at Fergus Falls.
J. S. Billings, father of the subject of this sketch, is a sheriff at Fer- gus Falls, and his sketch is presented elsewhere in this volume.
Jesse P. Billings was united in marriage, at Chicago, Illinois, Novem- ber 25, 1901, with Julian Gosch, daughter of Martin and Josephine ( Bresky) Gosch. She was born on February 7, 1880. This union has been blest with one child, Sheldon, born on April 19, 1906, at Minneapolis.
Mr. Billings is a man of generous impulses and genial disposition, and because of his industrious habits and persistent attention to business, has achieved definite success in his chosen vocation, standing high in the esti- mation of the citizens of Fergus Falls township.
PETER J. MOBRAATEN.
The late Peter J. Mobraaten, who for years was one of the most active residents of Oscar township, this county, came to America from Norway in 1869. He landed at the port of New York and almost immediately thereafter started for Minnesota. Upon arriving in this state, he located in Fillmore county, where he remained for one year, at the end of which time, in 1871, he came to Otter Tail county, where he homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Oscar township and there he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on July 27, 1913. Mr. Mobraaten was a fine farmer and a sturdy citizen, who was held in high regard in the neighbor- hood which he had done so much to help improve and he was widely mourned at the time of his death.
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